Asia

6.8 magnitude earthquake hits Tajikistan

DUSHANBE — An earthquake of 6.8 magnitude has hit eastern Tajikistan on Thursday, according to the US Geological Survey.

The quake struck around 5.37 am local time at a depth of about 20.5 kilometres.

The epicentre appeared to be in Gorno-Badakhshan, a semi-autonomous eastern region that borders Afghanistan and China, about 67 kilometres from the small mountain town of Murghob, as per AFP reports.

A 5.0-magnitude aftershock hit the area about 20 minutes after the initial quake, followed by a 4.6-magnitude quake.

The agency estimated that ‘little or no population’ would be exposed to landslides from the earthquake.

The territory is surrounded by the towering Pamir Mountains. — (AFP)